Monday, December 17, 2018

Remembering The Los Angeles Underground Music Scene With Two New Releases

Back in the early '80's, The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade formed the underground music scene in Los Angeles. Each band found some form of fame, with The Bangles becoming one of the biggest bands of the MTV generation, but they were all connected by that underground bond. Back in 2013, the four bands reunited for a one-off concert to benefit the non-profit "Education Through Music" organization. The show went so well, that plans were in the works for the four bands to team-up once again for an album. On Record Store Day, November 23rd, the collaboration titled "3x4" was released on vinyl and CD.

It features the four bands covering one another's songs, as each band appears on the album three times. The cohesiveness of the music on this new release is amazing, as you'd think it was one band performing all of these songs. Each band does an outstanding job re-interpreting the songs, by sticking close to the originals. The psychedelic feel of The Three O'Clock's "As Real As Real" is perfectly delivered by Rain Parade and the punk-like energy of The Bangles' "Hero Takes A Fall" is given an edgier sound, delivered by The Dream Syndicate. Each song in this set is careful crafted to show you the respect that each band has for one another. To find out more about the new "3x4" collaboration from The Bangles, The Three O'Clock, The Dream Syndicate and Rain Parade, please visit thebangles.com.

Also from the L.A. underground music scene comes the latest release from the punk/grunge band, The Flesh Eaters. Their new album titled "I Used To Be Pretty" will be released on January 18th, through Yep Roc Records. The band are no strangers to the underground L.A. rock scene as The Flesh Eaters began their career in the late-seventies as a staple on the club circuit. Their new album features a collection of eleven tracks, beginning with the slow burn of "Black Temptation," one of two new songs featured on this compilation. They showcase their more youthful side on the punk-like rocker "My Life To Live," before tackling the Fleetwood Mac bluesy classic "The Green Manalishi" with raw precision. The album continues with the seven-minute steady confession of "The Youngest Profession," before closing with "Ghost Cave Lament," which has been compared to The Doors' classic "The End." To find out more about The Flesh Eaters and their latest release "I Used To Be Pretty," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/theFlesheaters.